NDLEA in unrelenting pursuit of drug lords, intercepts millions of 3 opioid capsules
By Nnamdi Okosieme
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) push to contain the smuggling, circulation and use of psychotropic drugs in the country is reaping dividends by the day.
In a latest effort, operatives of the agency intercepted over three million capsules of opioids more dangerous and potent than tramadol at Jaelith Bonded Container Terminal under Tincan seaport in Apapa area of Lagos.
The seizure of 3,000,000 capsules of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol weighing over 1,500 kilograms on Monday 7th March 2022, came in the wake of a similar operation 24 hours earlier where the agency’s officers intercepted 8,613 kilograms of Loud cannabis smuggled in from Ghana through the waterways at the Eko Atlantic Beach, Victoria Island.
The seized drugs at the bonded terminal were discovered during a joint examination of a 20ft container, SUDU 7774749 with men of the Nigerian Customs Service.
Though the consignment was said to have originated from Ningbo province in China and falsely labelled as containing 271 packages of “insulating fittings, faucet water closet wc, and industrial office printing machine, investigations revealed that information on the Bill of Laden and shipping documents were fake.
Further investigations disclosed that the container originated from Nhava Sheva Port in India and transloaded through Morocco and Ghana, arrived in Nigeria Apapa Port on 10th February 2022. It also showed that the Tramadol found and labelled as Tafrodol 120mg is actually Tapentadol, which is more dangerous and potent opioid than Tramadol.
In related development, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency in the early hours of Sunday 6th March intercepted a consignment of Cannabis Sativa (Loud) weighing 8,613kg smuggled from Ghana through the waterways to the Eko Atlantic Beach side, Victoria Island.
Some drivers and their assistants: Adeyemi Bayioku, 31; Godwin Anya, 28; Yusuf Taofik, 20, and Adeniyi Adelaja, 19, who were on ground to load the shipment into their vehicles were promptly arrested while two trucks, a Siena space bus, Peugeot Boxer bus and a Toyota Camry car were seized from them.
NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has commended the officers and men of the Tin Can Port and Lagos Command of the agency for their vigilance and commitment to the mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA boss, who against mounting attacks on operatives of the agency by illicit drugs kingpins had ordered the release of new operational guidelines to protect them, applauded the current synergy and working relationship between the agency and other law enforcement agencies in the country.
